Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2011

On 31 January 2011, the State Party submitted a state of conservation report.

a) Strategic approach to urban conservation

The State Party report summarizes that the preparation of the 2011-2015 general plan for the conservation and rehabilitation of the historic city, dissemination of the intent and collaboration with concerned institutions has formed a main initiative for Samarkand’s heritage. According to the report, the database on monuments have been prepared, consultations on conservation with owners and users of historical monuments have been taking place, the borders of historic-cultural museum reserve area have been specified, and the general concept for conservation and rehabilitation of the historic city has been elaborated.

b) Development of a management plan

A four-day International Technical Workshop to set the framework for a management plan for Samarkand was held in October 2010. Involving participants from the World Heritage Centre, ICOMOS and ICCROM, the workshop resulted in an Action Plan that includes specific works to be carried out in Samarkand. And it was prepared and agreed by the Uzbek authorities. The State Party subsequently submitted an international assistance request to the World Heritage Fund for the development on a management/conservation plan for the property that was approved in January 2011.

c) Proposed zoning and road schemes inluding proposals to close new road between Afrosiab and Timurid city to through-traffic

In the 2009 state of conservation report, it was mentioned that no major road constructions are planned and more detailed information on the General Plan would be provided. However, the State Party report received this year does not provide the information on this issue.

d) Conservation of urban fabric

The State Party mentions that an alcohol factory and museum have now been removed from the historic part of the city as both were seen to be negative to the character. A new Museum and new houses have been constructed, respecting the traditional architectural styles, according to the State Party.

Funding through a World Bank loan has been secured to develop water supply and sewage systems. Phase one (out of three phases) is complete, with the first instalment of new fresh water pipes. It is proposed to have more residents connected to the main sewage system and thus improve environmental and ecological conditions in the old city.

e) Other issues

The State Party report places considerable emphasis on tourism and its potential revenue and associated employment generation. The State Party documents the plan value to be ‘6140 million sums’. Although this amount is not detailed or qualified, it is noted that the following will form a part of the plan:

· Approximately 3000 jobs in research and restoration works

· Development of new tourist routes, new tourism amenities and infrastructure services with the expectation of a 1.5 growth rate with ‘1.7 billion sums’ expected in the state budget within 5 years

· GIS database to study and monitor the tangible and intangible cultural heritage.

Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2011

The World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies are satisfied with the priority being given by the State Party to the formulation of the Management Plan, including the application of International Assistance to the World Heritage Fund. The World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies note the development of a general plan 2010-2015 for the conservation and rehabilitation of the historic city. It is not clear how this relates to the urban plan for the development of Samarkand city 2004-2025 (General Plan) which was reported at the 32nd session of the World Heritage Committee in 2008 to be under revision, nor to any revised plans for roads which were to be developed after the moratorium on road construction agreed in 2007. Furthermore, they note that the general plan 2010-2015 appears to involve major conservation and restoration projects to encourage international tourism. It is essential that further details of these proposals are provided before any formal decisions have been made.

Samarkand – Crossroads of Cultures (Uzbekistan) (C 603 rev)

3. Acknowledges the progress made by the State Party in civic planning, consultative processes and historic structures documentation;

4. Notes the references in the State Party's report to the development of a general plan, and requests the State Party to provide clarification on the scope and the extent of this plan, particularly whether it covers planning and development of infrastructure as well as conservation and rehabilitation, and whether it sets out a long term strategy for traffic management;

5. Also requests the State Party to provide clarification on the major conservation and restoration proposals in the general plan above, for the 2010-2015 period;

6. Also notes the World Bank projects to develop water supply and sewage systems in the historic part of the city and invites the State Party to provide the World Heritage Centre with details of the scope of this project and its impact on the archaeological and historic structures;

7. Further notes the State Party's efforts in securing international assistance to support the management plan, and reiterates the need to further develop the management plan, to undertake further conservation work on monuments within the property, to establish an effective management framework for the site and to sustain and plan for infrastructural work respecting the traditional urban fabric;

8. Notes furthermore the importance that the State Party places on tourism development and touristic initiatives and also further requests that tourism planning mechanisms form a part of the management plan;

9. Encourages the State Party to continue strengthening its efforts in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, local authorities, the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS, and possibly other partners, to advance the strategic planning processes and finalize the management plan with a focus on technical assistance and guidance concerning the conservation of the traditional urban fabric, the development of structural restoration projects and the creation of an adequate management framework;

10. Reiterates its request to the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, in conformity with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines, information concerning urban developments, including the new building construction and reconstructions, sewage and other projects having impact on the property;

11. Requests furthermore the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2012, a report on the state of conservation of the property, including progress made in the management plan and strategic planning, for consideration by the World Heritage Committee at its 36th session in 2012.

Draft Decision: 35 COM 7B.80

3. Acknowledges the progress made by the State Party in civic planning, consultative processes and historic structures documentation;

4. Notes the references in the State Party’s report to the development of a general plan, and requests the State Party to provide clarification on the scope and the extent of this plan, particularly whether it covers planning and development of infrastructure as well as conservation and rehabilitation, and whether it sets out a long term strategy for traffic management;

5. Also requests the State Party to provide clarification on the major conservation and restoration proposals in the general plan above, for the 2010-2015 period;

6. Also notes the World Bank projects to develop water supply and sewage systems in the historic part of the city and invites the State Party to provide the World Heritage Centre with details of the scope of this project and its impact on the archaeological and historic structures;

7. Further notes the State Party’s efforts in securing international assistance to support the management plan, and reiterates the need to further develop the management plan, to undertake further conservation work on monuments within the property, to establish an effective management framework for the site and to sustain and plan for infrastructural work respecting the traditional urban fabric;

8. Notes furthermore the importance that the State Party places on tourism development and touristic initiatives and also further requests that tourism planning mechanisms form a part of the management plan;

9. Encourages the State Party to continue strengthening its efforts in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, local authorities, the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS, and possibly other partners, to advance the strategic planning processes and finalize the management plan with a focus on technical assistance and guidance concerning the conservation of the traditional urban fabric, the development of structural restoration projects and the creation of an adequate management framework;

10. Reiterates its request to the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, in conformity with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines, information concerning urban developments, including the new building construction and reconstructions, sewage and other projects having impact on the property;

11. Requests furthermore the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by1 February 2012, a report on the state of conservation of the property, including progress made in the management plan and strategic planning, for consideration by the World Heritage Committee at its 36th session in 2012.

* :
The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).